Ingredients

1 green tea bag
1/2 cup boiling water
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Zest and juice (1/4 cup) of one lemon
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup Orange Blossom Honey*
2 large eggs

*Any mild-flavored honey such as Clover may be used.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Pour boiling water over tea bag and steep 3 minutes. Remove tea bag and allow tea to cool. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside. In a liquid measure, combine green tea, lemon zest and juice, and buttermilk; set aside. In a mixing bowl, cream butter until fluffy. Add honey; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time. Add half of the reserved dry ingredients to the butter mixture; mix on low until just combined. With mixer running on low, slowly add the lemon tea mixture. Add remaining dry ingredients until just combined. Fill paper-lined muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean. Remove to wire rack; cool. Frost and decorate with Candied Lemon Slices and Honey Lemon Frosting , if desired.

Makes 12-14 cupcakes.